Hotel or B&B Recommendations
Jan 28, 2026 | 7:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
Hotel or B&B Recommendations
Planning a trip in late May, 2026 to Valdez, Homer and Whittier. I have never been to these towns before. Research online including reviews etc didn't give me much guidance.
In addition to looking for places to stay, I also welcome recommendations related to sight-see, photography, seafood and hiking. Which National or State parks are easily accessible by car at that time of year? My plan is to stay at each place for 3 nights. Over kill?
I will have a rental car to get around.
Thank you in advance.
In addition to looking for places to stay, I also welcome recommendations related to sight-see, photography, seafood and hiking. Which National or State parks are easily accessible by car at that time of year? My plan is to stay at each place for 3 nights. Over kill?
I will have a rental car to get around.
Thank you in advance.
Jan 30, 2026 | 8:12 pm
#3
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,526
3 nights in Whittier is three too many IMO.. Stay in Girdwood and drive into Whittier in the morning. In May the 26 Glacier tour will be operating, and that's quite worthwhile early in the season - lots of floe ice hopefully.
The only drivable national parks then will be Denali, Kenai Fjords (boat tours from Seward) and - maybe - the edge of Wrangell-St. Elias (I doubt if McCarthy will be accessible but you can check.)
Homer has lots of accommodation availability of all types. I'd do an excursion across Kachemak Bay to Seldovia or Halibut Cove if any are running - very scenic.
IMO the best thing about Valdez is the drive there, past Worthington Glacier and Thompson Pass. Utterly spectacular.
The only drivable national parks then will be Denali, Kenai Fjords (boat tours from Seward) and - maybe - the edge of Wrangell-St. Elias (I doubt if McCarthy will be accessible but you can check.)
Homer has lots of accommodation availability of all types. I'd do an excursion across Kachemak Bay to Seldovia or Halibut Cove if any are running - very scenic.
IMO the best thing about Valdez is the drive there, past Worthington Glacier and Thompson Pass. Utterly spectacular.
Jan 31, 2026 | 11:18 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,581
While on this topic - is there a practical way to travel oneway valdez-whittier (or in reverse)? I d like to take Valdez Whittier ferry in one direction as scenic mini cruise but logistics of returning are not very obvious...
Jan 31, 2026 | 11:47 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Choice, AS, UA, WN
Posts: 10,706
Planning a trip in late May, 2026 to Valdez, Homer and Whittier. I have never been to these towns before. Research online including reviews etc didn't give me much guidance.
In addition to looking for places to stay, I also welcome recommendations related to sight-see, photography, seafood and hiking. Which National or State parks are easily accessible by car at that time of year? My plan is to stay at each place for 3 nights. Over kill?
I will have a rental car to get around.
Thank you in advance.
In addition to looking for places to stay, I also welcome recommendations related to sight-see, photography, seafood and hiking. Which National or State parks are easily accessible by car at that time of year? My plan is to stay at each place for 3 nights. Over kill?
I will have a rental car to get around.
Thank you in advance.
rent. A car and do homer, Seward, and Whittier then do an out and back fetty to Valdez where you have tours around there. Whittier is more of a stop over point thean the destination.
from Seward you can do day long glacier tours.
i would try to push this into mid/ late June.
on a visit i got some good wildflower shots along the road.
Jan 31, 2026 | 6:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 971
Feb 6, 2026 | 9:45 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
My suggestion
rent. A car and do homer, Seward, and Whittier then do an out and back fetty to Valdez where you have tours around there. Whittier is more of a stop over point thean the destination.
from Seward you can do day long glacier tours.
i would try to push this into mid/ late June.
on a visit i got some good wildflower shots along the road.
rent. A car and do homer, Seward, and Whittier then do an out and back fetty to Valdez where you have tours around there. Whittier is more of a stop over point thean the destination.
from Seward you can do day long glacier tours.
i would try to push this into mid/ late June.
on a visit i got some good wildflower shots along the road.
My dates are fixed, but wish I could be there mid-to-late June.
Thanks again.
Feb 6, 2026 | 9:45 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
Will check online for further info.